It Is National Scrapbooking Day!!

It's the weekend - and National Scrapbooking Day!!! I hope everyone is having a creative day!!

Painting with Stamps_Journal in Progress_ Part 3

Painting With Stamps_The Journal Cover_Painting Faces Part 2

Hello there! I get many emails and messages regarding painting African American skin tones .. so I thought I'd give a a close up view of how I build up colors to achieve one of the darker skin tone shades that I use.

Hope you enjoy - and thanks for watching!

Playing With Stamps_The Journal Cover Part One

I haven't been feeling well, so I didn't really feel like talking as I started on the cover to this journal. This is just an impromptu vid of how I am using my hand carved stamps to decorate an old journal cover

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Painting Faces - My Diary of Faces Class with Sharon Tomlinson

2012 was the year for me to really push myself in my desire to paint faces - to REALLY be able to look at a photo or portrait painting and capture something as realistic as I can - moving away from the whimsy. I signed up for Sharon Tomlinson's Diary of Faces class - and I've been so happy with the material and my progress. This is a very intense class - and not only have I pushed myself with my renditions of portraits - but I've learned so much about other artists here and abroad. There are a wealth of artists to learn from ... and long after this class is finished, I will continue studying these artists works.

My interpretation a painting by Norway artist Christian Krohg:

My interpretation of a painting by New Zealand artist Charles Goodies:

My interpretation of a painting by Italian artist Giovanni Boldini:

My interpretation of a painting by Bulgarian artist Georgi Mashev:

Weeks 5 through 7 in my journal:

My interpretaion of a painting by South African artist Irma Stern:

My interpretation of a pen and ink doodle by English artist Madge Gil :

My interpretation of a painting by Polish artist Wladyslaw Slewinsky:

My interpretation of a painting by Australian artist George Coates:

Week Three: Norway

Week 3 was a challenge .. .painting an elderly face. The artist, Christian Krohg from Norway was the choice ....and here is my rendition of his portrait of Barbara Larrsen.

I had to step away from this painting, and looking at it now on the screen ... I see where I can push myself even further...add more depth to her face.

Week Two: Romania

Hello All! I'm still hanging in there with Sharon Tomlinson's Diary of Faces Class. Week 2 is Romanian artist Nicolae Grigorescu. Now for me, his still of painting is very loose ... and I am having a difficult time ... it's easy for me to add details...NOT so easy to have details appear with no definitive lines. Here's where I am so far with my interpretation of Painter's Wife... almost done...but it's a challenge for me.

Sharon Tomlinson's Diary of Faces Class

Hello Everyone! I hope everyone has been enjoying the summer so far. For me, it's been nice and slow...sweltering at times in 100+ heat...but other than that - a perfect summer. On the creative side .. I decided I needed something to stretch myself ... and Sharon Tomlinson offered an EIGHTEEN WEEK course called the Diary of Faces - the PERFECT thing for me to keep pushing myself. The first portrait study was an artist named Georgette Chen ... and each of us selected portraits done by this artist to. Here is my interpretation of Ms. Chen's style:

The second week, we are studying a Romanian artist ... and the painting style is so different...very loose .. so I am still working on it ... and will post when I'm done. This class is PERFECT ... and while many of the other students are managing to crank out 2-3 portraits a week .. I am a much slower study ... and I'm taking my time studying the artists each week, their styles .. and then going over Sharon's instructions. I hope all of you are enjoying your summer and doing something creative! Stay cool...and stay creative!

Coffee Grinder In Progress

I decided to bite the bullet and start painting this unique surface. While I don't have a particular design in mind right now ... I DO know the look and colors I want to use.

I used Jo Sonja Background color Primrose to basecoat surface. After I let it dry, I sanded lightly with a piece of Super Film.

When I am working on faux finish effects in my head, I normally play around a bit on my palette. I used Jo Sonja Kleister Medium, instead of regular glaze medium. Kleister Medium has a longer open time than glazing medium.

This is probably the EASIEST of faux finishes to achieve. I took a generous amount of Jo Sonja Kleister Medium and applied to surface. Then, taking the sea sponge, I double loaded Jo Sonja Red Earth and Jo Sonja Yellow Cadium ... and pounced the entire surface, twisting my hand as I pounced, until I achieved the look I wanted.

I love these colors, and love Tuscan colors in the kitchen and for kitchen accessories. You can add more Jo Sonja Cadium Yellow to brighten it up...or more Jo Sonja Red Earth to deepen ... the choice is yours.